Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the eyes of the world have been watching the terrible conflict in Pakistan. They have watched the Pakistani military attempt to free certain areas of terrorist interests that would undermine the peace and security of that nation.

I would hope that we would all support the idea of peace and security. I believe in peace over conflict. I actually am appalled at the level of violence, but we must support the people of Pakistan and its military, which has risen to the occasion to fight against those who would undermine the civilian government. We can't have it both ways, and they are not doing this at the behest of the United States Government but for their own people.

We must also join in the humanitarian aid to give to those 2.5 million people who are now being evacuated. We must be prayerful about the young people who were abducted, and we must praise again the Pakistani military, which itself has lost lives. We now need to stand alongside this country and not forsake it and stand for its democracy and its security.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 896, ``Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2009.'' I would like to thank Chairman Conyers of the House Judiciary Committee and Chairman Barney Frank of the Financial Services Committee for their leadership on this issue. I also would like to thank Arthur D. Sidney of my staff who serves as my able Legislative Director. This issue is now before this body again for consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill because it provides a viable medium for bankruptcy judges to modify the terms of mortgages held by homeowners who have little recourse but to declare bankruptcy.

This bill could not have come at a more timely moment. This bill is on the floor of the House within weeks after the President's address before the Joint Session of Congress where President Obama outlined his economic plan for America and discussed the current economic situation that this country is facing.

To be sure, there are many economic woes that saddle this country. The statistics are staggering.

Home foreclosures are at an all-time high and they will increase as the recession continues. In 2006, there were 1.2 million foreclosures in the United States, representing an increase of 42 percent over the prior year. During 2007 through 2008, mortgage foreclosures were estimated to result in a whopping $400 billion worth of defaults and $100 billion in losses to investors in mortgage securities. This means that one per 62 American households is currently approaching levels not seen since the Depression.

The current economic crisis and the foreclosure blight has affected new home sales and depressed home value generally. New home sales have fallen by about 50 percent. One in six homeowners owes more on a mortgage than the home is worth which raises the possibility of default. Home values have fallen nationwide from an average of 19 percent from their peak in 2006, and this price plunge has wiped out trillions of dollars in home equity. The tide of foreclosure might become self-perpetuating. The nation could be facing a housing depression something far worse than a recession.

Obviously, there are substantial societal and economic costs of home foreclosures that adversely impact American families, their neighborhoods, communities and municipalities. A single foreclosure could impose direct costs on local government agencies totaling more than $34,000.

I am glad that this legislation is finally on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. I have long championed in the first TARP bill that was introduced and signed late last Congress, that language be included to specifically address the issue of mortgage foreclosures. I had asked that $100 billion be set aside to address that issue. Now, my idea has been vindicated as the TARP today has included language and we here today are continuing to engage in the dialogue to provide monies to those in mortgage foreclosure. I have also asked for modification of homeowners' existing loans to avoid mortgage foreclosure. I believe that the rules governing these loans should be relaxed. These are indeed tough economic times that require tough measures.

Because of the pervasive home foreclosures, federal legislation is necessary to curb the fall out from the subprime mortgage crisis. For consumers facing a foreclosure sale who want to retain their homes, Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code provides some modicum of protection. The Supreme Court has held that the exception to a Chapter 13's ability to modify the rights of creditors applies even if the mortgage is under-secured. Thus, if a Chapter 13 debtor owes $300,000 on a mortgage for a home that is worth less than $200,000, he or she must repay the entire amount in order to keep his or her home, even though the maximum that the mortgage would receive upon foreclosure is the home's value, i.e., $200,000, less the costs of foreclosure.

Importantly, S. 896 provides for a relaxation of the bankruptcy provisions and waives the mandatory requirement that a debtor must receive credit counseling prior to the filing for bankruptcy relief, under certain circumstances. The waiver applies in a Chapter 13 case where the debtor submits to the court a certification that the debtor has received notice that the holder of a claim secured by the debtor's principal residence may commence a foreclosure proceeding against such residence.

This bill also prohibits claims arising from violations of consumer protection laws. Specifically, this bill amends the Bankruptcy Code to disallow a claim that is subject to any remedy for damages or rescission as a result of the claimant's failure to comply with any applicable requirement under the Truth in Lending Act or other applicable state or federal consumer protection law in effect when the noncompliance took place, notwithstanding the prior entry of a foreclosure judgment.

S. 896 also amends the Bankruptcy Code to permit modification of certain mortgages that are secured by the debtor's principal residence in specified respects. Lastly, the bill provides that the debtor, the debtor's property, and property of the bankruptcy estate are not liable for a fee, cost, or charge incurred while the Chapter 13 case is pending and that arises from a debt secured by the debtor's principal residence, unless the holder of the claim complies with certain requirements.

I have long championed the rights of homeowners, especially those facing mortgage foreclosure. I have worked with the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee to include language that would relax the bankruptcy provisions to allow those facing mortgage foreclosure to restructure their debt to avoid foreclosure.

Because I have long championed the rights of homeowners facing mortgage foreclose in the recent TARP bill and before the Judiciary Committee, I have worked with Chairman Conyers and his staff to add language that would make the bill stronger and that would help more Americans. I co-sponsored sections of the Manager's Amendment and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Specifically, I worked with Chairman Conyers to ensure that in section 2 of the amendment, section 109(h) of the Bankruptcy Code would be amended to waive the mandatory requirement, under current law, that a debtor receive credit counseling prior to filing for bankruptcy relief. Under the amended language there is now a waiver that will apply where the debtor submits to the court a certification that the debtor has received notice that the holder of a claim secured by the debtor's principal residence may commence a foreclosure proceeding against such residence.

This is important because it affords the debtor the maximum relief without having to undergo a slow credit counseling process. This will help prevent the debtors credit situation from worsening, potentially spiraling out of control, and result in the eventual loss of his or her home.

The bill relaxes certain Bankruptcy requirements under Chapter 13 so that the debtor can modify the terms of the mortgage secured by his or her primary residence. This is an idea that I have long championed in the TARP legislation--the ability of debtors to modify their existing primary mortgages. Section 4 allows for a modification of the mortgage for a period of up to 40 years. Such modification cannot occur if the debtor fails to certify that it contacted the creditor before filing for bankruptcy. In this way, the language in the Manager's Amendment allows for the creditor to demonstrate that it undertook its ``last clear'' chance to work out the restructuring of the debt with its creditor before filing bankruptcy.

Importantly, the bill amends the bankruptcy code to provide that a debtor, the debtor's property, and property of the bankruptcy estate are not liable for fees and costs incurred while the Chapter 13 case is pending and that arises from a claim for debt secured by the debtor's principal residence.

Lastly, I worked to get language in the bill that would allow the debtors and creditors to negotiate before a declaration of bankruptcy is made. I made sure that the bill addresses present situations at the time of enactment where homeowners are in the process of mortgage foreclosure.

Texas ranks 17th in foreclosures. Texas would have faired far worse but for the fact that homeowners enjoy strong constitutional protections under the state's home-equity lending law. These consumer protections include a 3 percent cap on lender's fees, 80 percent loan- to-value ratio (compared to many other states that allow borrowers to obtain 125 percent of their home's value), and mandatory judicial sign- off on any foreclosure proceeding involving a defaulted home-equity loan.

Still, in the last month, in Texas alone there have been 30,720 foreclosures and sadly 15,839 bankruptcies. Much of this has to do with a lack of understanding about finance--especially personal finance.

Last year, Americans' personal income decreased $20.7 billion, or 0.2 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) decreased $11.8 billion, or 0.1 percent, in November, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) decreased $56.1 billion, or 0.6 percent. In India, household savings are about 23 percent of their GDP.

Even though the rate of increase has showed some slowing, uncertainties remain. Foreclosures and bankruptcies are high and could still beat last year's numbers.

Home foreclosures are at an all-time high and they will increase as the recession continues. In 2006, there were 1.2 million foreclosures in the United States, representing an increase of 42 percent over the prior year. During 2007 through 2008, mortgage foreclosures were estimated to result in a whopping $400 billion worth of defaults and $100 billion in losses to investors in mortgage securities. This means that one per 62 American households is currently approaching levels not seen since the Depression.

One in six homeowners owes more on a mortgage than the home is worth raising the possibility of default. Home values have fallen nationwide from an average of 19 percent from their peak in 2006 and this price plunge has wiped out trillions of dollars in home equity. The tide of foreclosure might become self-perpetuating. The nation could be facing a housing depression--something far worse than a recession.

Obviously, there are substantial societal and economic costs of home foreclosures that adversely impact American families, their neighborhoods, communities and municipalities. A single foreclosure could impose direct costs on local government agencies totaling more than $34,000.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 360, ``Urging all Americans and people of all nationalities to visit the national cemeteries, memorials, and markers on Memorial Day''. I would like to thank my colleague Representative David Roe for introducing this resolution, as well as the co-sponsors.

I do not believe there is a person in this body, or a person in this building, who does not feel a remarkable pride in the presence of the men and women who serve in our Nation's

military. Their incredible sacrifices and courage in the face of innumerable hazards have been critical to the preservation of the freedom, security, and prosperity enjoyed that we as Americans have come to love, enjoy, and even expect.

Likewise, I do not believe there is a person in this body, or a person in this building, who does not feel an intense tragedy in seeing these men and women make the ultimate sacrifice--whether it is seeing the loss of such extraordinary Americans, or the immense pain and sympathy for their families and loved ones.

When the United States has fought in wars outside and inside of its borders to restore freedom and human dignity, they were the ones who made the true sacrifices. The United States has spent its national treasure and shed its blood in fighting those wars.

Our government has sought to do its part in honoring these brave men and women. The National Cemetery Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs maintains 128 national cemeteries that serve as the final resting place for nearly 3,000,000 of these veterans and their dependents. Each year, millions of Americans visit these national cemeteries, memorials, and markers.

Across the globe, we find similar efforts. Overseas sites annually recognize Memorial Day with speeches, a reading of the Memorial Day Proclamation, wreath laying ceremonies, military bands and units, and the decoration of each grave site with the flag of the United States and that of the host country.

Wherever the proud fallen American soldier is honored, these splendid commemorative sites inspire patriotism, evoke gratitude, and teach history.

My residents of my city, Houston, have long honored their veterans. Within city limits stands the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. It was awarded the Robert W. Carey Organizational Excellence Award in 2005, the Robert W. Carey Circle of Excellence Quality Award in 2007, and re-designation for Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Services in 2008.

The MEDVAMC serves as the primary health care provider for more than 120,000 veterans in southeast Texas and over 13,000 from Houston. Veterans from around the country are referred to the MEDVAMC for countless medical services, and their outpatient clinics logged nearly 900,000 outpatient visits in fiscal year 2008 alone. All this in a state with over 1.7 million veterans, 247,000 of which are disabled and over 25,000 buried in her soil.

There is another great example that comes to mind, of how my district has honored those who defend them. In Memorial Plaza, stands a pillar holding a stone globe; written on the pillar are several names of US soldiers, fallen in the Second World War, as well as a quote by Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, chaplain of the U.S. Marines:

``IT'S THE SOLDIER: When the country has been the need, it

has always been the soldier! It's the soldier, not the

newspaper who has given us Freedom of the Press. It's the

soldier, not the poet, who has given us Freedom of Speech.

It's the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us

the Freedom to Demonstrate. It's the soldier who salutes the

flag, serves under the flag and whose coffin is draped by the

flag who gives the protester the right to burn the flag. And

it's the soldier who is called upon to defend our way of

life!''

That is why I proudly join my colleagues in strongly urging Americans and people of all nationalities to visit national cemeteries, memorials, and markers on Memorial Day. It is so that they may see words like these, even if it is only once a year, and know where the spirit of American generosity, sacrifice, and courage are displayed and commemorated.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 426, ``Honoring police officers and law enforcement professionals during Police Week''. I would like to thank my colleague Representative Jerry McNerney, as well as the co-sponsors, for introducing this resolution.

I stand in support of this important resolution, because police officers of every rank and from every walk of life are working every day to keep communities across our nation safe. These hard working men and women perform a variety of duties to pursue justice and maintain public safety, and selflessly put their lives on the line to keep their neighbors and countrymen safe.

These Americans are reminded of these threats all too often--in just the last decade, hundreds of police officers were killed in the line of duty, and in just the first four months of 2009 more than 40 officers around the country have made the ultimate sacrifice. And as if that weren't bad enough, police officers and law enforcement personnel have been not been immune to the collapse of our economy, and have been adversely affected by the current economic situation.

In my home city of Houston, nearly 70 officers of the law have been killed in the line of duty, and 11 police officers have fallen in the past decade alone.

The most recent tragedy came less than six months ago, whenPolice Officer Timothy Scott Abernethy was shot and killed during a foot pursuit of a suspect who fled following a traffic stop. Officer Abernethy had lost sight of the man as he chased him around a building in an apartment complex. After going around the corner the man hid behind a gate and then shot the officer in the head as he ran by. Tim was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds a short time later. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, and siblings.

Before him, there was Police Officer Gary Allen Gryder. He was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic at a construction site on the Katy Freeway. The drunk driver drove through a barricade and struck Officer Gryder and another officer without braking. The vehicle continued until striking a brick wall. Gryder is survived by his wife, son, step-daughter, two grandchildren, parents, and two sisters.

And before either of them, there was Officer Rodney Joseph Johnson. Officer Johnson had stopped a large white pickup truck occupied by a man and woman on Randolph at Braniff, just south of Hobby Airport, at about 5:30 p.m. He placed the male driver--who, it would turn out, was in the country illegally--under arrest after he was unable to produce a drivers license. After handcuffing the male, he placed

him in the backseat of the patrol car and then returned to the driver's seat. The subject in the backseat was able to move his hands to his front, retrieve a concealed handgun, and then shot Officer Johnson in the back of the head four times.

Despite being fatally wounded, Officer Johnson was able to push an emergency button, alerting dispatch to the incident. When other officers arrived, the male was still handcuffed and sitting in the patrol car, and the weapon was recovered. Officer Johnson was taken to Ben Taub Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

For these reasons, and more, our country has found respect for these brave men and women throughout its history. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation declaring May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, and to designate the calendar week in which May 15 occurs as Police Week.

And it is this tradition that we continue today, as this body, the House of Representatives, honors police officers for their efforts to create safer and more secure communities, and who risk their lives daily to protect Americans.

I wholeheartedly agree with my colleagues that Police Week provides an opportunity to honor police officers and law enforcement personnel for their selfless acts of bravery, and that police officers and law enforcement personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice should be remembered and honored.

So let there be no doubt that the House of Representatives expresses its strong support for the Nation's police officers and law enforcement personnel.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, H.R. 1676, the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009 or PACT Act. This bill was introduced by Representative Wiener of New York. This legislation makes it a federal offense for any seller making a ``delivery sale'' to fail to comply with all state excise tax, sales tax licensing, and tax sampling laws. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

I also thank my legislative director, Arthur D. Sidney.

Every year tens of billions of cigarettes disappear into a lucrative black market for tobacco products and are trafficked throughout the world. Smuggling harms public health and minors by undermining tobacco tax policies. Smuggling also makes tax-free cigarettes available to minors who might otherwise quit smoking. It is reported that cigarette smuggling also helps finance criminal activity and terrorist organizations.

By diverting cigarettes while they are in the wholesale distribution chain, large-scale smugglers generally avoid all taxes. Increasingly, cigarette smuggling is on the rise throughout the United States. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has reported that the number of ATF tobacco smuggling investigations has increased from 10 in 1998 to 425 in 2005. Some of these investigations and convictions have occurred in Texas.

Currently, the Jenkins Act, 15 USC 375, requires any person who sells and ships cigarettes across a state line to a buyer, other than a licensed distributor, to report the sale to the buyer's state tobacco collection officials. Compliance allows states to collect a cigarette excise tax. There are misdemeanor penalties for violation. Smugglers are circumventing the Jenkins Act by virtue of internet-based tobacco sales. Sales of tobacco through the internet have resulted in the loss of billions of dollars in tax revenue.

The Contraband Cigarette Trafficking Act, 18 USC 2342, makes it illegal for persons to knowingly ship, transport, receive, possess, sell, distribute, or purchase contraband cigarettes or contraband smokeless tobacco. It also prohibits a person from knowingly making any false statement or representation with respect to information required by law to be kept in the records of any person who ships, sells, distributes cigarettes in excess of 10,000 in a single transaction.

Cigarette smuggling is on the rise due to the internet and sales to and between Native American tribes and others. The PACT Act introduced by the Honorable Anthony Weiner makes it a federal offense for any seller to fail to comply with all state excise tax, sales tax licensing, and tax stamping laws. This bill also increases the Jenkins Act's existing penalties from a misdemeanor to a felony. It further empowers states to enforce the Jenkins Act against out of state sellers sending delivery sales into its territory by giving the Attorney General the power to seek injunctive relief and civil penalties. The Act prohibits the shipment of cigarettes and tobacco through the U.S. Postal Service and provides the ATF with the ability to inspect a distributor's business. Refusal to submit to inspection results in additional penalties. Internet sellers are required to verify a seller's age and identity through databases and the person accepting delivery must verify age and identity when signing for delivery.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today in support of H.R. 2182, the ``Enhanced Oversight of State and Local Economic Recovery Act.'' I would like to thank my colleague Representative Towns for introducing this bill and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2182, amending the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Supporting this bill will ensure that those people responsible for monitoring and accounting the $787 billion currently being allocated through the Recovery Act are able to do so both fairly and efficiently. I would also like to thank my legislative director, Mr. Arthur D. Sidney, for all his hard work.

This bill will require federal agencies receiving funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, subject to guidance from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to reasonably adjust applicable limits on administrative expenditures for federal awards to help award recipients defray costs of data collection, auditing, contract and grant planning and management, and investigations of waste, fraud, and abuse required under such Act.

The ``Enhanced Oversight of State and Local Economic Recovery Act'' modifies the Recovery Act and provides state and local governments the flexibility to set aside a portion of their stimulus funds, up to .5% of such funds, in addition to any funds already allocated to administrative expenditures, to conduct planning, management and oversight investigations to prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse.

Furthermore, H.R. 2182 will permit the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide for the use by state and local governments of GSA federal supply schedules for goods or services funded by such Act. The GSA schedules are pre-negotiated federal contracts for a range of common goods and services, for stimulus projects. In addition, this bill will make participation by a firm that sells to a state or local government through such schedule, voluntary as well as require the OMB Director to issue guidance to ensure accurate and consistent reporting of ``jobs created'' and ``jobs retained'' data.

There is much concern that state and local governments are unable to meet the oversight demands placed on them by the Recovery Act. The stimulus calls for unparalleled oversight and accountability, so we must provide those whose job it is to root out waste, fraud, and abuse with the adequate tools to get the job done. Our state and local governments are on the front lines of this monumental effort to fight mismanagement of Recovery Act dollars and their success is vital to making the stimulus work. Not initially providing funds for state auditors under the Recovery Act was an omission that needs to be rectified. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 120 ``Supporting the goals and ideals of National Women's Health.'' I would also like to extend my gratitude to my distinguished colleague from New York, Representative Maurice D. Hinchey, for introducing this important legislation. I thank my legislative director, Arthur D. Sidney.

National Women's Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH). National Women's Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. With the theme ``It's Your Time,'' the nationwide initiative encourages women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life. During National Women's Health Week, communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups work together to educate women about steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases. Important steps include: getting at least 2\1/2\ hours of moderate physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both each week; eating a nutritious diet; visiting a health care professional for regular checkups and preventive screenings; avoiding risky behaviors, like smoking and not wearing a seatbelt; and paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.

Research has established the existence of persistent racial and socioeconomic disparities in women's health in the United States. We know that coronary disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. But, nearly twice as many women in the U.S. die of heart disease and stroke every year as die from all types of cancer. Yet, multiple studies have shown that women are less likely than men to be referred for invasive cardiac procedures.

While the life expectancy of women in the United States has risen, as a group, African American women have a shorter life expectancy and experience earlier onset of such chronic conditions as diabetes and hypertension. If we look at the death rates for diseases of the heart, African American women are clearly at risk with 147 deaths per 100,000. When we look at cervical cancer, we see that the incidence rate of invasive cervical cancer is higher among Asian-American women. Yet, we cannot explain the causes of these higher rates.

Disparities are perhaps most alarming when we look at HIV/AIDS. Twenty-two percent of Americans currently living with HIV are women, and 77 percent of those are African American or Hispanic. Many people are shocked to know that AIDS is the second leading cause of death among African American women age 25 to 44.

There are nearly 40 million women in America who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups. These women suffer disproportionately from premature death, disease, and disabilities. Many also face tremendous barriers to optimal health. This is a growing challenge in our nation.

The challenge is even greater when we consider the aging population. By the year 2050, nearly 1 in 4 adult women will be 65 years old or older, and an astonishing 1 in 17 will be 85 years old or older. We must ensure that our Federal agencies are in the forefront, working to find solutions to the challenges our nation faces in caring for the health of our women.

It is important to celebrate National Women's Health Week to remind women that taking care of themselves is essential to living

longer, healthier, and happier lives. Women are often the caregivers for their spouses, children, and parents and forget to focus on their own health. But research shows that when women take care of themselves, the health of their family improves. During National Women's Health Week it is important to educate our wives, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, and girlfriends about the steps they can take to improve their health and prevent disease. After all, when women take even the simplest steps to improve their health, the results can be significant and everyone can benefit.

H. Con. Res. 120 is an important way to support the women of this nation, and I am proud to stand today in support of this important legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation as well.

Mr. Speaker, Americans are taught to work hard and make money and to buy a house, but we are never taught about financial literacy. In these tough economic times, it is imperative that Americans know about financial literacy; it is crucial to our survival. Americans need to be prepared to make informed financial choices. Indeed, we must learn how to effectively handle money, credit, debt, and risk. We must become better stewards over the things that we are entrusted. By becoming better stewards, Americans will become responsible workers, heads of households, investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders and citizens.

I am reminded of how important this issue is to American society, as I was invited to attend a financial literacy roundtable panel at the New York Stock Exchange late last month. The panel was sponsored by the Hope Literacy Foundation. The panel was moderated by John Hope Bryant. I was surrounded by some of the great financial literacy experts in the nation. At the roundtable, I discussed the importance of financial literacy for college and university students. It is important that students be taught financial literacy. The facts about students and financial literacy are astounding.

In 2008, 84 percent of undergraduates had at least one credit card. This figure is staggering. Young people who themselves might not even have a job are able to get credit cards. This is astounding because it begins the cycle of indebtedness.

Recent studies have indicated that young people do not even know basic financial topics such as the impact of student loans on one's credit, how to balance a checkbook, and the impact of automobile loans on one's credit.

Because of my concern that young people are not sufficiently informed about financial literacy, I have offered this amendment: To require financial literacy counseling for borrowers, and for other purposes.

This amendment is important because approximately two-thirds of students borrow to pay for college according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research. Moreover, one in ten of student borrowers have loans more than $35,000. Passing this legislation will ensure that our nation's college students will be more prepared when incurring student loan debt and help them to avoid default as student loans severely impact one's credit score. Currently there is about $60 billion in defaulted student loan debt.

Many students do not understand the reality of repaying student debt while taking out these loans. While most Americans have debt of some kind, student loan repayment is especially scary, as one cannot just declare bankruptcy and have their loans discharged. Due to the lack of financial literacy counseling for borrowers, student loan payments are often higher than expected. Recent grads are unable to afford the monthly payments resulting in them living paycheck to paycheck, acquiring credit card debt and in extreme cases, grads leaving the country in order to avoid repayment and debt collectors.

Students and parents are not currently receiving the proper or any information of the burden that their student loans will have once they graduate. This is possibly a result of the relationship between student loan companies and universities, as some lenders offer universities incentives to steer borrowers their way.

College campuses are one place that young Americans are introduced to credit and the possibility of living beyond their means. With proper loan and credit counseling the burden of debt incurred in college could be greatly reduced. Especially in this time of recession, financial literacy is one of the most important tools that we can give to our students in order to ensure their success in the future.

This amendment will provide financial literacy training to students and will require a minimum of 4 hours of counseling including entrance and exit counseling. Counseling will include the fundamentals of basic checking and savings accounts, budgeting, types of credit and their appropriate uses, the different forms of student financial aid, repayment options, credit scores and ratings, as well as investing.

I support the bill and urge my colleagues to do likewise.

H.R. 627 prevents card companies from unfairly increasing interest rates on existing card balances--retroactive increases are permitted only if a cardholder is more than 30 days late,

if a promotional rate expires, if the rate adjusts as part of a variable rate, or if the cardholder fails to comply with a workout agreement.

The bill requires card companies to give 45 days notice of all interest rate increases or significant contract changes (e.g. fees).

Requires companies to let consumers set their own fixed credit limit that cannot be exceeded.

Prevents companies from charging ``over-the-limit'' fees when a cardholder has set a limit, or when a preauthorized credit ``hold'' pushes a consumer over their limit.

Limits (to 3) the number of over-the-limit fees companies can charge for the same transaction--some issuers now charge virtually unlimited fees for a single violation.

Ends unfair ``double cycle'' billing--card companies couldn't charge interest on debt consumers have already paid on time.

If a cardholder pays on time and in full, the bill prevents card companies from piling additional fees on balances consisting solely of left-over interest.

Prohibits card companies from charging a fee when customers pay their bill.

Many companies credit payments to a cardholder's lowest interest rate balances first, making it impossible for the consumer to pay off high- rate debt. The bill bans this practice, requiring payments made in excess of the minimum to be allocated proportionally or to the balance with the highest interest rate. Protects Cardholders from Due Date Gimmicks.

Requires card companies to mail billing statements 21 calendar days before the due date (up from the current 14 days), and to credit as ``on time'' payments made before 5 p.m. local time on the due date.

Extends the due date to next business day for mailed payments when the due date falls on a day a card company does not accept or receive mail (i.e. Sundays and holidays).

Establishes standard definitions of terms like ``fixed rate'' and ``prime rate'' so companies can't mislead or deceive consumers in marketing and advertising.

Gives consumers who are pre-approved for a card the right to reject that card prior to activation without negatively affecting their credit scores.

Prohibits issuers of subprime cards (where total yearly fixed fees exceed 25 percent of the credit limit) from charging those fees to the card itself. These cards are generally targeted to low-income consumers with weak credit histories.

Prohibits card companies from knowingly issuing cards to individuals under 18 who are not emancipated.

Requires reports to Congress by the Federal Reserve on credit card industry practices to enhance congressional oversight.

Requires card companies to send out 45-day notice of interest rate increases 90-days after the bill is signed into law; the remainder of the bill takes effect 12 months after enactment.

82 percent of credit cards allowed unlimited penalty rate increases

When credit card accounts become past due, companies frequently impose penalty interest rate increases on outstanding balances, on top of late fees averaging $39. The penalty interest rate can lead to a significant increase in the cardholder's level of debt, and may continue to apply long after the cardholder has reestablished a track record of responsible payment behavior.

The Pew Health Group studied all credit cards offered online by the largest 12 issuers, which control nearly 90 percent of outstanding credit card debt in America. The study included more than 400 credit card products. Based on a new analysis of this data, we found that 82 percent of credit cards allowed issuers to impose penalty interest rate hikes that could last indefinitely, giving responsible cardholders no right to return to the originally agreed interest rate.

``cure period'' provision would help curb penalties averaging $500 per

year

The median allowable penalty interest rate was 28 percent per year, adding nearly 14 percentage points to the average non-penalty interest rate. This penalty would cost $140 annually for every $1,000 in credit card debt, or nearly $500 per year for a typical repriced account. In most cases, these added costs can continue as long as the account is open, regardless of the cardholder's subsequent payment behavior.

The Federal Reserve has announced rules to help limit penalties it deems ``unfair and deceptive.'' But even under those rules, Americans will be on track to pay credit card companies more than $7 billion per year in penalty interest charges--unless congressional leaders adopt an important new Senate proposal.

The proposal, often called a ``cure period'' or ``pathway back,'' enables consumers to reverse penalty interest rates by making on-time payments for six months. Cardholders who pay on-time during the cure period can reduce penalty interest charges by half or more.

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 2352 ``Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act of 2009.'' I would also like to extend my thanks to Representative Heath Shuler of North Carolina for introducing this important legislation. This will amend the Small Business Act in a number of ways that will help small businesses throughout the United States.

America is home to more than 26 million small businesses that represent more than 99.7 percent of all employers. Small businesses create half of our gross domestic product, and up to 80 percent of the new jobs nationwide. Recent studies have shown that supporting small businesses is good for the American economy. In fact, for every $1 invested, small businesses will contribute $7 to the economy. H.R. 2352 provides small businesses and entrepreneurs the tools and resources they need to succeed and thrive. Entrepreneurial development programs helped create 73,000 jobs last year alone.

The vibrancy of our economic prosperity depends on the ability of our nation's small business community to adapt to opportunities at home and abroad. The skill required to navigate the many regulations imposed by the Federal government is essential to maximize any business plan. Alliances made between the private sector and government allow small business owners to be empowered by the Federal regulatory process and not the victim of it.

women

H.R. 2352 will accomplish many different initiatives pertaining to helping small businesses. There are specific stipulations that will enable women-owned businesses. It will revise the Small Business Administration's women's business center program to publish grants and establish a process for centers regarding administration matters. It will also authorize administrations to provide financial assistance to private nonprofit organizations to conduct projects for the benefits of small businesses owned and controlled by women as well as women's businesses centers performance measures to be established. H.R. 2352 will also require the National Women's Business Council studies to include the impact of the 2008--2009 financial markets crisis on women- owned businesses. H.R. 2352 will broaden the Women's Business Centers Program by improving and expanding business development resources for women entrepreneurs by increasing counseling and training facilities for this sector, particularly targeting underserved areas.

general

In addition to supporting women small business development the bill creates a grant program for SBDCs specifically designed to assist small firms in securing capital such as the new small business lending generated under the Recovery Act. The Recovery Act contains numerous provisions to generate new small business lending, such as increasing from 85% to 90% the amount of an SBA-backed loan that the government guarantees--with estimates that the Act will generate $21 billion in new lending and investment for small businesses.

H.R. 2352 also creates new entrepreneurial development programs. It establishes, for the first time, a nationwide network of Veterans Business Centers to provide specialized entrepreneurial training and counseling to our nation's veterans. It also creates new support services for Native American-owned small businesses.

conclusion

Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy in Houston and across America. But for too long, small businesses have found it difficult or impossible to compete for federal contracts. I am proud to support legislation that fixes this problem and gives hard-working small businesses a fair shake. I urge my colleagues to support this bill as well.

Madam Speaker, because of competing responsibilities, chairing a committee dealing with the question of our automobile bankruptcy issues and the impact on automobile dealers and service providers, I missed the opportunity to join with my colleagues in supporting the FAA Authorization Act of 2009, H.R. 915. So I rise today to emphasize the importance of this legislation very quickly to the 18th Congressional District in Houston, and to applaud the fact of a flight crew fatigue provision that will allow a study on the fatigue of pilots in order to avoid the tragedies that have occurred in recent weeks and days.

Let me also applaud the FAA personnel management system. Having met with air traffic controllers, it is important for the FAA to come to agreement with the workers and the hard workers of the air traffic controllers. It is time to have a labor agreement, and this bill allows it.

And finally, for my constituents to have a telephone number--listen out, my constituents at IAH--to call if you hear that there is noise in the area, the airport will be required to do so.

Let me first of all thank the distinguished gentleman, Congressman Ellison, for his leadership and to applaud the effort of, if you will, recording, reporting, enforcing, and educating individuals on the importance of a holistic approach to health care reform.

Certainly, I want to congratulate the Progressive Caucus, of which I'm a member and my distinguished colleague is, because we have been spending time, Madam Speaker, on working on these issues, constantly seeking to find common ground around a very important issue, and that is, of course, the public option.

Some of us are concerned and interested in single payer, and in our meetings that we have had, which is a number of legislative initiatives, one happens to be H.R. 676. But what we are speaking about is to keep all doors open, all voices open, because as you can see, the idea of coming together around fixing the health care system is going to ensure that we have the kind of baseline of service that will help all Americans.

And let me just make a point to my distinguished colleague. We were just in a hearing on the collapse or the bankruptcy of Chrysler and General Motors, and I call it a collapse, and I call it a crisis. And why? Because we're putting people out of work. Even with the bankruptcy structure they're closing dealerships. They are closing minority dealerships. They're laying people off work.

Well, it was projected in a hearing by some of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle that it was this labor union health care cost that brought the industry to its knees. I refuted that by saying it was the lack of health care in America, and thank goodness for labor unions who are willing to protect their retirees and the workers and give them health care.

And so just take the example of having this access to health care, this public option, this new reform that would help ensure the 47 million uninsured or give companies an option. That would have helped General Motors and Chrysler, not putting the burden on labor unions.

And let me digress for just one moment, and I appreciate the gentleman yielding to me, and I just have to do this because it has to do with focus. It has to do about what is important for this Congress to go forward on.

And today, as you well know, there was an individual that stood up to offer a privileged resolution regarding our Speaker, and I just for a moment have to champion her cause and say that these are the kinds of distractions that take us away from focusing on the needs of the everyday men and women of America. There's some representation about comments regarding the briefing that our Speaker received as it relates to torture. I was there during that period of time, and I am well aware of the atmosphere.

First of all, we should note the Speaker has indicated to have all files released, one point. The second point is in the 1990s, or let's say after 9/11, we had the presentation being given by the Bush administration at the United Nations, and the backbone of that presentation happened to be the Agency. Of course, we seem to be living in an atmosphere of being misled.

So, to my friends on the other side of the aisle who don't look at the real facts of this case, I ask them to do so, but then I ask them to wake up and ask the question of themselves: What do Americans want us to do? They want us to address the question of recession. They want us to address the question of mortgage foreclosure. And they want us to address the question of health care.

And so, for that reason, let me thank you for allowing me to be here. We will be having town hall meetings in my congressional district. I look forward to travelling to other districts, joining my colleagues to talk about the public option, the value of the single payer.

And the message that I leave here is I don't believe any aspect of health care reform should be left out. I frankly believe that under the public option designation, which means that there is something similar to Medicaid and Medicare in a more efficient manner, you could in essence put a single payer choice under that particular structure so that just as people are arguing for individuals to keep their own doctors, you could in fact say, well, you want choice in this way, I want a choice in public option, and we can come to the table and meet ourselves head-on and find the kind of relief that the American people need.

So I'm delighted to be here with my good friend and colleague, Congresswoman Watson, and you have my confidence and support on how we move forward in the evidence of your great works in bringing to the American people what we need to do for good health care reform.

Madam Speaker, I rise today support of H. Res. 442, ``Recognizing the importance of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and its positive effect on the lives of low income children and families.'' I would also like to thank my distinguished colleague, Representative George Miller of California for introducing this important legislation. There are too many in our nation that too often go hungry. It is important to extend our support to those domestic programs that alleviate suffering in our own nation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that in 2007:

36.2 million people lived in households considered to be food insecure.

Of these 36.2 million, 23.8 million are adults (10.6 percent of all adults) and 12.4 million are children (16.9 percent of all children).

The number of people in the worst-off households increased to 11.9 from 10.8 in 2005. This increase in the number of people in the worst- off category is consistent with other studies and the Census Bureau poverty data, which show worsening conditions for the poorest Americans.

Black (22.2 percent) and Hispanic (20.1 percent) households experienced food insecurity at far higher rates than the national average. -

The ten states with the highest food insecurity rates in 2007 were Mississippi, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Maine, South Carolina, Georgia, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.

USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care and making it more affordable for many low-income families. Each day, 2.9 million children receive nutritious meals and snacks through CACFP. The program also provides meals and snacks to 86,000 adults who receive care in nonresidential adult day care centers. CACFP reaches even further to provide meals to children residing in emergency shelters, and snacks and suppers to youths participating in eligible after school care programs.

As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, the issues that plague the children of our nation are important to me. Children are the future of our nation, and it is of vital importance that we raise a strong, intelligent generation that will be able to lead our country. The Child and Adult Food Care Program ensure that families with children receive nutritious meals; meals are a staple in a healthy prosperous life that are constantly overlooked and mitigated. Nutritious food can make life more enjoyable and prolong life. People who eat a more balanced, nutrient dense diet are more likely to be physically fit, feel better, and have fewer illnesses as well as lower risk of heart disease and diabetes. In this age of epidemic obesity, eating a well-balanced diet needs to be of utmost importance for the American population, particularly the children.

Children who are well-nourished feel safe and secure, pay attention, behave, and stay healthy. Children who participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program eat more fruits, vegetables, milk, and have a better overall diet quality. The CACFP will instill good eating habits in children from an early age. Additionally, the CACFP sponsors The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) which is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.

Texas

For the second year in a row, the study revealed Texas having the #1 rate of child hunger at 22.1 percent. Texas is also in the top five states with children under five at risk of hunger (23.3 percent). Additionally, in Texas, there are 6,644,060 under the age of 18. 1,470,704 of these children are food insecure. Food insecurity refers to the lack of access to enough food to fully meet basic needs at all times due to lack of financial resources. There are different levels of food insecurity.

According to the results of the Census Bureau survey, those at greatest risk of being hungry or on the edge of hunger (i.e., food insecure) live in households that are: headed by a single woman; Hispanic or Black; or with incomes below the poverty line. Overall, households with children experience food insecurity at almost double the rate for households without children. Geographically, food insecurity is more common in central city households. The survey data also show that households are more likely to be hungry or food insecure if they live in states in the Midwest and South.

H. Res. 442 is essential to recognizing the importance of nutrition within our national boundaries. The Child and Adult Care Food Program has been cited as one of the most important support for long-term success in building strong family child care for low-income families and has proved an effective vehicle for supporting family child care providers. During the recent economic crisis, more people have begun to rely on the Child and Adult Food Program to feed their families.

I firmly believe that H. Res. 442 contributes to and support quality child care that provides early education experiences and provides a basis for lifetime healthy eating behaviors, and I know that these are essential to building a strong foundation for our youth and our nation. I urge my colleague to support this bill as well as we come together and demonstrate our support for nutrition and the children of our nation.

There comes a time when you need to acknowledge the hometown team and thank them for their best effort. The Rockets wanted to win. They put their heart in it. They came back in game 6. They came back in other games. They were down 20 points or more in other games. They lost by a large amount, but they came back. And boy, did they give us a game in game 6.

So you can see the faces of the Houston Rockets. And I'm cheering them on. Congratulations for getting into this part of the NBA, getting into what they have not done before, which is the playoffs. So I am grateful for the young team that they are. Some that don't have height, we are aware of the injuries of some of our teammates, but Houston is very proud. And we celebrated our Houston Rockets because they did a darn good job. It is a good lesson for young people to know in the face of adversity, to keep on keeping on. That is what sports is all about. And that is what the message is when we tell our children to play, play fair, have good judgment, have integrity and keep on keeping on, and some day, you will be a winner.

Winners never quit, and quitters never win.

Mr. Chair, I stand before you today in support of H.R. 2187, the ``21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act''. It is important that our youth have quality educational facilities. I support this bill because it directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to State educational agencies for the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities, which many of our schools around the country are in desperate need of.

The grants that this piece of legislation will not only structurally improve the learning facilities, but make them safe, healthy, high- performing, and equipped with up-to-date technology. Our children can have access to updated science and engineering laboratory facilities, libraries, and career and technical education facilities. Furthermore, when a local educational agency receives a grant they can use the money for structural purposes such as repairing, replacing, or installing roofs. As well as extensive, intensive or semi-intensive green roofs, electrical wiring, plumbing systems, sewage systems, lighting systems, or components of such systems, windows, or doors, including security doors.

The monies allotted to schools will also benefit the health of our students. As Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus I am very concerned about the toxins that our children are exposed to in their own classrooms. The legislation can provide for the abatement, removal, or interim controls of asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, mold, mildew, or lead-based paint hazards which we must remove from all of our buildings in America. They will be able to breathe better once heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are replaced resulting in better air quality.

Our students must be safe while at school. If there is an emergency, the schools must be prepared to handle it. Money from grants can also be used to bring public schools into compliance with fire, health, and safety codes, including professional installation of fire/life safety alarms, including modernizations, renovations, and repairs that ensure that schools are prepared for emergencies.

Finally, we need to think ahead to the future. Our nation needs to become aware of our wastefulness and make strides to become greener. Schools will be able to get a head start going green by making the necessary changes to reduce the consumption of coal, electricity, land, natural gas, oil, and/or water. In addition, schools can focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy by making improvements to building infrastructure to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian access, renewable energy generation and heating systems, including solar, photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, or biomass, including wood pellet, systems or components of such systems, make them more energy efficient, reduce class size.

This is an important piece of legislation that I urge all of my colleagues to support. Support it for our nation's children and our nation's health.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Res. 377, ``Recognizing Armed Forces Day and the exemplary services of the members of the United States Armed Forces.'' This resolution was introduced by my distinguished colleague Representative Calvert of California. The Armed Forces are an important part of the American society, and they deserve a day of admiration during National Military Appreciation Month. I am proud to today and offer my support to our Armed Forces as I publicly acknowledge their commitment and contributions to our country.

I do not believe there is a person in this House, or a person in this building, who does not feel a remarkable pride in the presence of the men and women who serve in our nation's military. The success of the Armed Forces depends on the dedicated service of its members, their families, and the civilian employees of the Department of Defense and the Coast Guard. Their incredible sacrifices and courage in the face of innumerable hazards have been critical to the preservation of the freedom, security, and prosperity enjoyed that we as Americans have come to love, enjoy, and even expect.

Armed Forces Day is an important part of National Military Appreciation Month. It is a day to celebrate and appreciate all the Armed Forces. The Armed Forces in our country are truly an admirable group of individuals who demonstrate the strength, unity, and community that the United States stands for. It is important we recognize the Armed Forces as individuals and as a group for all that they contribute to our great nation.

H. Res. 377 is essential to demonstrating the Congress's support and acknowledgement of such an important day. The Armed Forces are a substantial entity of our nation and greatly contributes to our strength as a nation on a very real and global level. H. Res. 377 will further emphasize this importance, and more importantly, focus on a genuine appreciation for all military involvement across the United States. To remain as a world leader, the United States must maintain a well-trained and well-equipped army. As a Representative of the Federal Government, we must encourage the people of the United States to recognize the values and principles of our nation which the military encompasses and the sacrifices made for our country by individuals and military entities.

The Armed Forces has greatly contributed to our nation, and it is only right they we demonstrate our support, appreciation, and gratitude for their service to our nation. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, and I extend a personal thank-you to those in the Armed Services. I hope that you all know your worth and to extend that you contribute to our country.